Missing Hunter Found Dead in the Woods near Ransomville

RANSOMVILLE, NY - A man who was out hunting with friends Saturday afternoon was found dead after his friends had reported him missing to Niagara County Sheriff's Office deputies.

Deputies say they received a 911 call from a hunter at about 6:30 p.m. telling them that his hunting partner had been missing for about two hours. The missing man had a cell phone and radio with him but had failed to answer calls to either device.

Using GPS technology, the 911 center was able to determine the location where the last call was made from the missing man's cell phone -- somewhere south of 2408 Youngstown-Wilson Road. At about 7 p.m., as searchers began to assemble, they received word from the missing man's hunting partner that he had been found in the woods, and it appeared he was dead.

Investigators will await the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death, deputies said, but it does not appear suspicious. The name of the hunter is not being released until his family has been notified.